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Arlington County, Virginia

Explorer · ages 7 and underAdapted from Wikipedia
The skyline of Rosslyn, Arlington, Virginia, seen from Georgetown Waterfront Park.

Where Arlington Is

Arlington County, often called just Arlington, is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia. It sits right across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. Arlington is the smallest self-governing county in the United States by area.

Arlington has quiet neighborhoods and busier city areas. Several Washington Metro stations help people travel around the county. The county's government offices are in the Court House neighborhood.

Long Ago

The Nacotchtank people lived in this area first. Later, the land became part of Fairfax County. In 1920, the county was given the name Arlington County.

Today, many federal government offices are based in Arlington. The Pentagon is there, and it is home to the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. Companies such as Boeing and RTX Corporation also have offices in the county.

Fun Places to See

Many visitors come to Arlington National Cemetery to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The county also has the Air Force Memorial and the Marine Corps War Memorial. These places help people remember and learn about history.

Arlington is home to several colleges and universities. These include George Mason University, Marymount University, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech.

Arlington also has many parks. Glencarlyn Park sits along Four Mile Run. It has nature trails and playgrounds where families can have fun outside.

Quiz time!

3 questions about Arlington County, Virginia

Question 1 of 3

Which city is right across the Potomac River from Arlington?

Pictures

Arlington House, also called the Robert E. Lee Memorial, stands at Arlington National Cemetery, with rows of grave markers in the foreground.
An honorary Marine, third from left, salutes during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, in 2013.
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, photographed from an airplane in January 2008.
Members of the Marine Corps Executive Forum visit the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, in July 2011 during a tour of the national capital area.
An aerial view of Ballston, a busy neighborhood in Arlington County, Virginia, looking northwest over its buildings and streets.
The logo of Arlington County, Virginia, used by the county government for promotional purposes.
A detail from Captain John Smith's 1624 map of the Chesapeake region, showing the area that is now Arlington County, Virginia.
The original mid-1700s section of the Ball-Sellers House in the Glencarlyn neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia.
An 1835 map showing the District of Columbia, including Washington City, Georgetown, and Alexandria, with its major buildings, roads, and landmarks.
A old stone boundary marker, known as Southwest No. 9, stands in Washington, D.C. These markers show the edges of the original district set up for the nation's capital.
An 1856 painting by William MacLeod showing the city of Washington, D.C., seen from across the Potomac River, with farm fields in the foreground and landmarks like the Capitol and the White House on the horizon.
A portrait of George Washington Parke Custis, the grandson of Martha Washington and an adopted grandson of George Washington.
A drawing from 1839 showing the Chain Bridge over the Potomac River, seen from the Maryland side. It was the fourth bridge built at this spot.
An 1838 map showing the route of the Alexandria Canal and how boats travelled along the Potomac River.
The footbridge over Four Mile Run, destroyed by July 2019 flooding in Glencarlyn
Cars covered by snow near the end of the 2010 blizzard in Pentagon City
Icon representing an increase, consisting of a green-colored, up-pointing triangle.
The skyline of Rosslyn, a main business district in Arlington County, in 2020
Centennial Commemoration Flower Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery
An aerial view of the main campus of Marymount University
George Washington Memorial Parkway along the Potomac River near Three Sisters
The interior of Ballston–MU station

Keep exploring

U.S. state
Virginia
Potomac River
Washington, D.C.
Federal government of the United States
Boeing

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Arlington County, Virginia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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